Ice-grip for boots or shoes.



J. KUNZ. ICE GRIP FOR BOOTS QB SHOES. APPLIOA'I'IOI FILED IA]. 12, 1909.

Patented May 2, 1911.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JEAN KUNZ, OF CRONBERG, GERMANY.

ICE-GRIP FOB BOOTS 0R SHOES.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JEAN KUNZ, manufacturer, a subject of the GermanEmperor, and resident of I-lart-muthstrasse No. 1., Orenherg on theTaunus, Germany, have invented new and useful Improvements in Ice- Gripsfor Boots or Shoes, of which the following is a specification.

The ice grip to which this invention relates differs from those hithertoused in that it has interchangeable insertions, adapted to preventslipping, in the cap to be fixed to the heel. Moreover it is providedwith an adjustable abutment for the straight front vertical face of theheel, so that the grip can be used for heels of different sizes.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein Figure1 shows the grip in use, Fig. 2- is a plan view of the grip and Fig. 3is a section of it, Figs. 4- show two different insertions for use inthe grip.

The grip comprises the usual heel cap or receptacle a adapted to theform of the heel, which is fixed in the usual manner to the boot by thestrap 6. In the middle of the heel cap or receptacle there is a circularopening 0 for the interchangeable insert-ions (Z and f. That marked (Zconsists of a circular iron plate having sections of its peripheryturned inward so as to form a sort of ring of such a size that it canpass tl'irough the opening a of the heel cap or receptacle a. Theprojecting sections 9 are long enough to extend beyond the under surfaceof the heel cap, so as to grip the ice or snow with the desired efl'ect.

Preferably, under the plate cZ and between the project-ions g, isinserted a disk h of cork or the like, which is to prevent the caking ofsnow. Since the plate d is between the heel cap or receptacle and theunder surface of the heel when the device is in position, and the saidcap or receptacle is also drawn toward the heel by the strap 7), theplate (Z is held sufiiciently tightly. Obviously the plate (Z must be soformed that it fits tightly in the opening a and cannot accidentallyfall out when the grip is not in use.

For walking in soft snow a eoned cork disk f is inserted being pressedinto. the opening 0 in place of the plate cl. Owing to its conical form,it cannot pass through this Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 12, 1909.

Patented May 2, 1911.

Serial No. 471,834.

opening and cannot be pushed upward owing to the heel.

The abutment for the front vertical face of the heel consists of twobars 2' and 70, pivoted together at one end by means of a bolt or thelike. The bar extends beyond the bar z' at each end to a distance atleast equal to the thickness of the cap at. There are several openings Zin the heel cap or receptacle of a size corresponding with thecross-scction of the bar hen the abutment is to be putinto the heel capor reeeptacle the bars 7: and i are spread apart and the former can beinserted into the slots Z on each side of the heel cap or receptacle.The two bars are then pressed together again until they coincide so thatthe abutment cannot fall out, the length of bar 2' being approximatelyequal to the distance e in Fig. 2, that is to say, its ends abut againstthe inner faces of the said cap or receptacle. As there are severalslots Z on each side of the said cap or receptacle the abutment can beadjusted as desired, so that the grip can fit heels of diiferent sizes.

The projections on the plate cZ may naturally be in any other positionon the plate, and in the said cap or receptacle a there need only be thenecessary holes to allow these projections to pass through. g need notbe formed by cutting and turn ing out the material of the plate; theymay if desired be formed of angle iron riveted on.

The bars 2' and 74 may be connected in a manner other than that shown;for example, they may be pressed apart in a direction at right angles totheir plane, a separate hoop or the like being provided to hold themtogether.

A further essential advantage is obtained by making the grip capsurround the heel in a smooth curve. Owing to this, the grip can beused'not only when walking on ice or snow, for example when dragging upa toboggan, but also when tobogganing as it allows the foot to he slidalong the ground without damaging the boot or tearing up projectingobjects.

Now what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is the followinThe projections 1. An anti-slipping device or boots and oppositelyarranged slots, means for seeuring said receptacle on the heel, aprojection removably carried by said receptacle, and a bar adapted to beremovably inserted in said slots to bridge said open portion of thereceptacle adjacent to the front wall of the heel.

2. In ice grips for boots and shoes, the combination of a heel platehaving slots, means for securing said heel plate on the heel, aninterchangeable insertion consisting of a plate carried by said heelplate, and two bars pivoted together at one end, one of said bars beingarranged to enter said slots to form an abutment for the heel and theother of said bars being arranged to act as a loclrfor the first namedbar, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. An anti slipping device for boots and shoes comprising a heel plate,an interchangeable plate, means for removably securing saidinterchangeable plate on said heel plate and having sections of itsperiphery turned outwardly to form spaced projections extending beyondsaid heel plate, and a disk of cork secured between the saidprojections.

4. An anti slipping device for boots and shoes comprising a receptaclefor the heel, a projection removably carried by said receptacle and heldagainst inward movement by said heel, means for preventing outwardmovement of said projection, and means for secnrmg said receptacle onsaid heel.

5. An anti slipping device for boots and shoes comprising a heel plateprovided with oppositely arranged slots, means for securing said heelplate on said heel, a projection carried by said heel plate, a baradapted to be removably inserted in said slots and to engage the frontwall of the heel, and a second bar pivotally mounted on said first namedbar and adapted to lock it against removal from said slots.

6. An anti slipping device comprising a heel plate provided with anaperture, an interchangeable device arranged to be inserted in saidaperture from the inside and provided with spaced projections extendingbeyond said heel plate, means for prevent-ing said device from beingforced entirely through said aperture, and means for securing said heelplate in operative position.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have signedmy name in presence of two witnesses, this 30th day of December 1908.

JEAN KUNZ.

Witnesses JEAN GRUND, ROBERT BiirIL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

